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The Dimitrakos Proposition
A man she can't say "no" to
Sharp-tongued, independent firestorm Tabby Glover will do anything to get Greek billionaire Acheron Dimitrakos to support her adoption claim over his cousin's small child. The last thing she expects is his outrageous marriage proposal!
She has no choice but to say yes, even if the arrogant tycoon can't stop looking down his nose at her for one minute! Tabby can see that there is more to this proposition and this devastatingly handsome man than meets the eye. But as the thin veil between truth and lies is lifted, will this marriage become more than in name only?
Sharp-tongued, independent firestorm Tabby Glover will do anything to get Greek billionaire Acheron Dimitrakos to support her adoption claim over his cousin's small child. The last thing she expects is his outrageous marriage proposal!
She has no choice but to say yes, even if the arrogant tycoon can't stop looking down his nose at her for one minute! Tabby can see that there is more to this proposition and this devastatingly handsome man than meets the eye. But as the thin veil between truth and lies is lifted, will this marriage become more than in name only?
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First published December 1, 2013
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About the author
Lynne Graham
1,778 books1,450 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
Lynne Graham was born on July 30, 1956 of Irish-Scottish parentage. She has livedin Northern Ireland all her life. She grew up in a seaside village with herbrother. She learnt to read at the age of 3, and haven't stopped since then.
Lynne first met her husband when she was 14. At 15, she wrote her firstbook, but it was rejected everywhere. Lynne married after she completed adegree at Edinburgh University. She started writing again when she was athome with her first child. It took several attempts before she sold herfirst book in 1987 and the delight of seeing that first book for sale in thelocal newsagents has never been forgotten. Now, there are over 10 million ofher books in print worldwide.
Lynne always wanted a large family and has five children. Her eldest and heronly natural child is 19 and currently at university. Her other fourchildren, who are every bit as dear to her heart, are adopted. She has two9-year-olds adopted from Sri Lanka and a 5- and a 3-year-old adopted fromGuatemala. In Lynne's home, there is a rich and diverse cultural mix, whichadds a whole extra dimension of interest and discovery to family life. Thefamily lives in a country house surrounded by a woodland garden, which iswonderfully private. The family has two pets. Thomas, a very large andaffectionate black cat, bosses the dog and hunts rabbits. The dog is Daisy,an adorable but not very bright white West Highland terrier, who loves beingchased by the cat. At night, dog and cat sleep together in front of thekitchen stove. Lynne loves gardening, cooking, collects everything from oldtoys to rock specimens and is crazy about every aspect of Christmas.
Lynne Graham was born on July 30, 1956 of Irish-Scottish parentage. She has livedin Northern Ireland all her life. She grew up in a seaside village with herbrother. She learnt to read at the age of 3, and haven't stopped since then.
Lynne first met her husband when she was 14. At 15, she wrote her firstbook, but it was rejected everywhere. Lynne married after she completed adegree at Edinburgh University. She started writing again when she was athome with her first child. It took several attempts before she sold herfirst book in 1987 and the delight of seeing that first book for sale in thelocal newsagents has never been forgotten. Now, there are over 10 million ofher books in print worldwide.
Lynne always wanted a large family and has five children. Her eldest and heronly natural child is 19 and currently at university. Her other fourchildren, who are every bit as dear to her heart, are adopted. She has two9-year-olds adopted from Sri Lanka and a 5- and a 3-year-old adopted fromGuatemala. In Lynne's home, there is a rich and diverse cultural mix, whichadds a whole extra dimension of interest and discovery to family life. Thefamily lives in a country house surrounded by a woodland garden, which iswonderfully private. The family has two pets. Thomas, a very large andaffectionate black cat, bosses the dog and hunts rabbits. The dog is Daisy,an adorable but not very bright white West Highland terrier, who loves beingchased by the cat. At night, dog and cat sleep together in front of thekitchen stove. Lynne loves gardening, cooking, collects everything from oldtoys to rock specimens and is crazy about every aspect of Christmas.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 107 reviews
April 2, 2018
The trope: H/h, both guardians of an infant, marry for convenience so they can adopt her. The Geek hero has the added incentive of his father's will - he'll inherit the entire company if he marries.
What makes this story interesting/different:
Both H/h spent time in the foster care system
Hero has a stalker
The heroine's rose tattoo and the hero's pen are symbols of hurt and healing.
No OMs or hero trying to make the heroine jealous, no slut shaming, heroine is a virgin, baby is adorable, H/h spend time together, heroine is a smart cookie, hero thaws out beautifully.
Just a nice story with a believable HEA.
What makes this story interesting/different:
Both H/h spent time in the foster care system
Hero has a stalker
The heroine's rose tattoo and the hero's pen are symbols of hurt and healing.
No OMs or hero trying to make the heroine jealous, no slut shaming, heroine is a virgin, baby is adorable, H/h spend time together, heroine is a smart cookie, hero thaws out beautifully.
Just a nice story with a believable HEA.
December 18, 2013
I really enjoyed this latest release by one of my all time fav HP authors.All I can say is ...Lynne got her groove back!
I enjoyed characters of Ash and Tabby,they complimented each other very well.Ash is like sex on a stick,so very drool worthy!I am such a sucker for this author's alpha heros.
Tabby is brash and sass which was great.
Loved the ending of this book,two damaged souls found love and had their family when they each thought they would never have it.
A great moc story.I gave this 5*** because everything worked for me,even the Helen Bianchin trope of evil stalker OW.
I enjoyed characters of Ash and Tabby,they complimented each other very well.Ash is like sex on a stick,so very drool worthy!I am such a sucker for this author's alpha heros.
Tabby is brash and sass which was great.
Loved the ending of this book,two damaged souls found love and had their family when they each thought they would never have it.
A great moc story.I gave this 5*** because everything worked for me,even the Helen Bianchin trope of evil stalker OW.
January 4, 2014
Seems like the reviews are all over the place with this one. I really loved it. I loved the super spunky heroine who never ever rolled over and just took what the hero was dishing out. She had enough backbone for any 3 HP heroines. From their first meeting the hero, Ash and the heroine, Tabby, strike sparks off each other.
You could tell that they were immediately attracted to each other. You could also see that she basically had his head spinning since no one had ever treated him like she did. He wasn't used to a woman who wasn't sucking up to him. You could tell that she amused him. He was not verbally abusive. He never treated her badly, in fact he went out of his way to treat her well. Sure he used marriage to her to inherit but it was fairly clear that he was lying to himself about why he did it. He was rich and arrogant but I just got that "aww shucks, the poor guy just don't know no better" feeling.
I loved how awkward he was with the baby but how he fell for the little girl even though he'd always thought children were a nuisance.
The sex scenes were imaginative and different enough to be interesting without being vulgar. It was great to see a heroine who after she looses her virginity to the hero and he gets out of bed without a word to head to the bathroom, doesn't lie there quaking in misery but instead follows him into the john and grades his performance.
He did not intimidate her at all and every time he tried to come over all high handed with her, she just stood right up to him. The best part is that during these little fights she won more often that she lost. That was so refreshing. Usually in HP land the hero is so overwhelming that he wins every argument and the heroine is left with her jaw hanging and her pride beat up.
Without being one of those charming laughing heroes, Ash doesn't take himself too seriously He wasn't a wimp, wasn't at all beta. But he seemed really real.
These two didn't fight for fighting's sake. I thought the dialog was very realistic and not oddly crazy and oddly overdramatic as HPs often are. The two of them just seemed so real. The scene at the end was an example.
"If you two are going to keep on chatting in a foreign language and acting like I'm not here..."
"If only you were not," Ash murmured silkily.
Tabby's hands balled into fists.
"I bet quite a few women have thumped you in your time!"
Shimmering eyes dark as sloes challenged her, his lean strong face slashing into a sudden smile of raw amusement. "Not a one..."
You could tell that they were immediately attracted to each other. You could also see that she basically had his head spinning since no one had ever treated him like she did. He wasn't used to a woman who wasn't sucking up to him. You could tell that she amused him. He was not verbally abusive. He never treated her badly, in fact he went out of his way to treat her well. Sure he used marriage to her to inherit but it was fairly clear that he was lying to himself about why he did it. He was rich and arrogant but I just got that "aww shucks, the poor guy just don't know no better" feeling.
I loved how awkward he was with the baby but how he fell for the little girl even though he'd always thought children were a nuisance.
The sex scenes were imaginative and different enough to be interesting without being vulgar. It was great to see a heroine who after she looses her virginity to the hero and he gets out of bed without a word to head to the bathroom, doesn't lie there quaking in misery but instead follows him into the john and grades his performance.
"A-star for the sex, F for failure for the follow up," Tabby pronounced.
He did not intimidate her at all and every time he tried to come over all high handed with her, she just stood right up to him. The best part is that during these little fights she won more often that she lost. That was so refreshing. Usually in HP land the hero is so overwhelming that he wins every argument and the heroine is left with her jaw hanging and her pride beat up.
Without being one of those charming laughing heroes, Ash doesn't take himself too seriously He wasn't a wimp, wasn't at all beta. But he seemed really real.
"You're not a very flexible personality are you?"
"You'd roll me out like a pastry if I was," Tabby quipped. "I'm still mad at you Acheron. You took advantage of my ignorance."
"I'm an alpha male, programmed at birth to take advantage," Acheron pointed out with unapologetic cool. "But you called me on it, which I wasn't expecting."
These two didn't fight for fighting's sake. I thought the dialog was very realistic and not oddly crazy and oddly overdramatic as HPs often are. The two of them just seemed so real. The scene at the end was an example.
December 29, 2013
No, this story just did not do it for me!!!!!!
Lynne Graham is one of my favorite M&B authors but I have experienced a hit and miss with her last few books and The Dimitrakos Proposal is one of those “miss” ones!!!
I like alpha males and spunky heroines….but the two mc’s were beyond reality!!!
The hero – Acheron Dimitrakos
So, this guy is gorgeous…
Yes, he had a terrible and painful past but that did not give him the right to behave like he did towards Tabby (jeezz…I hated this name…but more about that later!!!).
I found it hard to believe that a man like him would feel a “pull in his groin” when he first meets the heroine, who happens to be dressed in old and scruffy clothes – what, he feels hard for someone he thinks is rude, plain and just off the streets!!!!!!!!!! Too hard for me to “swallow” that!! A Wait a minute Alex….this is fiction…every thing is possible….because underneath that plainness, is this gorgeous woman with luscious and decadent pink lips………
And that same old and used over and over again…………..drives me insane !!!!
The heroine – Tabby Barnes
Tabby….is that for real……..!!! I had visions of a ginger tabby cat in my head everytime I read her name!!!!
Now, there is sassy and there is idiotic and totally painful…and sassy Tabby sure isn’t!!
So, A and T have done it….of course, she’s a 25year old virgin……..and A rushes to the bathroom after the deed and when he comes back into the bedroom…..
She agrees to marry the millionaire so she can adopt her best friend’s baby (baby’s mother having died after giving birth), because she loves little Amber and will do anything for her…even marrying a despicable millionaire!!! But I didn’t feel that love she had for Amber…..gives in to nannies, etc etc etc!!! The only good thing I felt was that she got old Ash to “bond” with the baby!!! Hurrah for Tabby!!!!! Allright….she’s not that awful…at times I almost liked her!!!!!!!
The side mystery in the story was another part I thought a bit thin!!!! The wicked stepsister plot was a bit OTT………and the resolution to her “stalking”…..left me saying………NO, REALLY!!!! Too easy way out!!!!
The character I absolutely adored was little Emma……..
So, will these two get their HEA…..will Ash become a soft, loving, family man who loves his beautiful little doll (yes, that’s how she’s described somewhere along the way!!), who will bear him loads of beautiful boys and girls who will look like their daddy and mommy!!! If you a lover of this author’s books, read it to find out the END!!!!!
This was an okay read for me (I have to own up….I did skip a few pages here and there……but I did finish the book…..I had to know the ending!!!!) and it wasn’t exactly an awful book…just not awesome, like I expect from LG.
Lynne Graham is one of my favorite M&B authors but I have experienced a hit and miss with her last few books and The Dimitrakos Proposal is one of those “miss” ones!!!
I like alpha males and spunky heroines….but the two mc’s were beyond reality!!!
The hero – Acheron Dimitrakos
So, this guy is gorgeous…
but let me just say that his first name “blew” me away…! I constantly had this image of
Acheron Parthenopaeus (who happens to be a sexy god) in Sherrilyn Kenyon’s The Dark Hunter Series, in my head!!!! Okay, I could have dealt with that one, but Acheron D is nothing like Acheron P!!! In fact I did not care very much for him.
Yes, he had a terrible and painful past but that did not give him the right to behave like he did towards Tabby (jeezz…I hated this name…but more about that later!!!).
I found it hard to believe that a man like him would feel a “pull in his groin” when he first meets the heroine, who happens to be dressed in old and scruffy clothes – what, he feels hard for someone he thinks is rude, plain and just off the streets!!!!!!!!!! Too hard for me to “swallow” that!! A Wait a minute Alex….this is fiction…every thing is possible….because underneath that plainness, is this gorgeous woman with luscious and decadent pink lips………
See what great clothes and make-up and living the life of the rich can do for a girl!!!!!!
And that same old and used over and over again…………..drives me insane !!!!
“you’re very responsive.” Acheron purredBy the time he shows any warmth or emotion towards the end of the story – with little Amber and T…..I was ready to pull his hair out!!!! Okay, he’s a bit better towards the end…………………..
The heroine – Tabby Barnes
Tabby….is that for real……..!!! I had visions of a ginger tabby cat in my head everytime I read her name!!!!
That has to be the most unfortunate name ever!!!!!!
Now, there is sassy and there is idiotic and totally painful…and sassy Tabby sure isn’t!!
So, A and T have done it….of course, she’s a 25year old virgin……..and A rushes to the bathroom after the deed and when he comes back into the bedroom…..
“A-star for the sex, F for failure to follow-up,” Tabby pronounced with scornEnough for a “downer” don’t you think??
She agrees to marry the millionaire so she can adopt her best friend’s baby (baby’s mother having died after giving birth), because she loves little Amber and will do anything for her…even marrying a despicable millionaire!!! But I didn’t feel that love she had for Amber…..gives in to nannies, etc etc etc!!! The only good thing I felt was that she got old Ash to “bond” with the baby!!! Hurrah for Tabby!!!!! Allright….she’s not that awful…at times I almost liked her!!!!!!!
The side mystery in the story was another part I thought a bit thin!!!! The wicked stepsister plot was a bit OTT………and the resolution to her “stalking”…..left me saying………NO, REALLY!!!! Too easy way out!!!!
The character I absolutely adored was little Emma……..
So, will these two get their HEA…..will Ash become a soft, loving, family man who loves his beautiful little doll (yes, that’s how she’s described somewhere along the way!!), who will bear him loads of beautiful boys and girls who will look like their daddy and mommy!!! If you a lover of this author’s books, read it to find out the END!!!!!
This was an okay read for me (I have to own up….I did skip a few pages here and there……but I did finish the book…..I had to know the ending!!!!) and it wasn’t exactly an awful book…just not awesome, like I expect from LG.
January 18, 2014
The story kept me engaged. I wasn't bored at any time. Liked the hero Acheron. The heroine was ok though at times she was completely dense! Asking why she had to wear a ring when they were in a fake marriage and had to convince people it was real !!!
I really loved the scenes with Ash and the little baby, Amber - fabulous!!
I really loved the scenes with Ash and the little baby, Amber - fabulous!!
January 25, 2022
5 stars
It was so freaking good, I'm gonna reread it soon....
If you like a good harlequin where the heroine has a brain and isn't afraid to use it, then this book is a must read.
Highly recommend!
It was so freaking good, I'm gonna reread it soon....
If you like a good harlequin where the heroine has a brain and isn't afraid to use it, then this book is a must read.
Highly recommend!
December 3, 2013
This is a marriage of convenience story with two very broken, very damaged people (especially the heroine) who heal each other and comfort each other and learn to love each other truly and deeply. I usually don't like strong feisty heroines but Tabby was a true survivor and she was vulnerable and warm as well. Hero is an alpha male, super sexy, confident and sophisticated but he treated Tabby like a queen and I loved him for that!
Epilogue was super adorable! So sweet watching these two and their growing family and giving their children the love that was denied to them as kids.
Epilogue was super adorable! So sweet watching these two and their growing family and giving their children the love that was denied to them as kids.
July 10, 2022
Major disappointment!
September 13, 2021
First of all, I found it somewhat weird whenever I read the hero's name. Dark-Hunter Acheron image keeps popping on my head. But anyway, I enjoyed this story. I loved the fact that there was no insta-anything here, folks. In fact, at the very beginning of this book, their relationship start on a bit rocky ground. But despite that, these two have some sparks big time, especially every time they were involved in verbal sparring. The tension and bickering between these two were funny at times, and you could truly feel their passion building. And when they finally gave in? It was freakin' off the roof! And I also enjoyed all the scenes between Ash and Amber.
Overall, The Dimitrakos Proposition was an enjoyable read albeit predictable marriage of convenience plot.
October 9, 2025
Reread 10/9/25:
For my personal taste, this is one of LG's best romances. It contains one of my all-time favorite tropes, the FMC and MMC banding together to raise a baby that is not theirs. This novel is a comfort read for me because it is dependably enjoyable. I agree completely with my rave review below.
Review from 12/5/23
5 stars
Classic Lynne Graham!
Acheron (Ash) Dimitrakos is a gorgeous, ripped, 30-year-old Greek billionaire. He founded a global corporation called DT Industries, but his recently deceased father owned half of the company. In his will, Ash's father states that if Ash does not marry within a year, his father's share of the corporation will go to Ash's greedy stepmother and her obnoxious offspring, all of whom Ash despises and avoids. Ash knows he could snap his fingers and have his pick among unlimited numbers of desirable women, who would snatch at the chance to become his wife, but he has known since childhood that he never wants to marry or have children. Because of a dark familial secret, he does not believe that he would make a good husband or father.
Then Ash has an explosive first meet with the beautiful, 25-year-old virgin, Tabby Glover. Tabby and Ash are the legal co-guardians of a 6-month-old baby girl named Amber, who is the offspring of Tabby's best friend and a young man who was a distant cousin of Ash. Both of Amber's parents are deceased, and Tabby has not been able to get Ash to take any personal or financial responsibility for Amber, which is a huge issue, because Tabby is broke. She and Amber's mother owned a maid-service business together, but when Tabby's friend got sick, Tabby lost the business because she spent all her time nursing her friend until she died. And afterwards, because Tabby has dedicated herself to caring for Amber, she has only been able to work part-time. As a result, Tabby is so destitute, she is desperately close to losing Amber, because Social Services has declared that Tabby can't give the baby a proper home. Tabby is extremely attached to the baby, and Ash is her last hope to stop the authorities from taking Amber away from her within the next few days and putting her up for adoption.
Ash is appalled at the temerity of the small, angry woman who rudely confronts him at his ritzy, London business headquarters. Everyone in Ash's rarefied circles is in awe of him and strives constantly to impress him. But this young woman has dared to appear at his office dressed in a worn jacket, sweat pants, and ratty athletic shoes, and she hasn't put on a drop of makeup or fixed her hair. He decides at first glance that Tabby is plain, until he notices her stunning, violet eyes. Ash refuses to tolerate anyone cursing at him as Tabby does, and he threatens to have the building's security guards cart her away, until it suddenly connects with him who, exactly, the baby's father is. He was not merely a cousin, but the son of Ash's mother's caretaker during her final illness, a relative who was very kind to Ash at a vulnerable time in his childhood.
It abruptly occurs to him that he and Tabby could be of mutual use to each other. He needs a wife to keep his corporation in his hands, and she needs a husband who can assure she gets to keep Amber. He proposes a marriage of convenience, and thus begins the wild ride that is their relationship.
If you are a fan of LG, you will very much enjoy this classic, HP, marriage-of-convenience plot. The requirements of this romance line as to its plot tropes are so stringently limited, it takes real genius to write fresh, exciting, sensuous romances within their confines. LG is one of the very best at this creative feat. In this particular story, both Ash and Tabby are strong, sympathetic characters. I liked them both very much, and I greatly enjoyed the progress of their relationship. The two of them share a fascinating commonality in that each had an extremely difficult childhood, and in both cases, rather than adversity breaking them, it made them strong. Their mutual flaw is great difficulty in trusting others--especially each other. As a result, their relationship is full of the fiery battles, and equally passionate love scenes, which LG does extremely well. She never writes sex for its own sake and she's never crude.
I've read every one of LG's over 130 HP romances. Though no author can be expected to write a totally satisfying book every single time, LG's HP novels generally run from very good to outstanding. This book is definitely in that range.
For my personal taste, this is one of LG's best romances. It contains one of my all-time favorite tropes, the FMC and MMC banding together to raise a baby that is not theirs. This novel is a comfort read for me because it is dependably enjoyable. I agree completely with my rave review below.
Review from 12/5/23
5 stars
Classic Lynne Graham!
Acheron (Ash) Dimitrakos is a gorgeous, ripped, 30-year-old Greek billionaire. He founded a global corporation called DT Industries, but his recently deceased father owned half of the company. In his will, Ash's father states that if Ash does not marry within a year, his father's share of the corporation will go to Ash's greedy stepmother and her obnoxious offspring, all of whom Ash despises and avoids. Ash knows he could snap his fingers and have his pick among unlimited numbers of desirable women, who would snatch at the chance to become his wife, but he has known since childhood that he never wants to marry or have children. Because of a dark familial secret, he does not believe that he would make a good husband or father.
Then Ash has an explosive first meet with the beautiful, 25-year-old virgin, Tabby Glover. Tabby and Ash are the legal co-guardians of a 6-month-old baby girl named Amber, who is the offspring of Tabby's best friend and a young man who was a distant cousin of Ash. Both of Amber's parents are deceased, and Tabby has not been able to get Ash to take any personal or financial responsibility for Amber, which is a huge issue, because Tabby is broke. She and Amber's mother owned a maid-service business together, but when Tabby's friend got sick, Tabby lost the business because she spent all her time nursing her friend until she died. And afterwards, because Tabby has dedicated herself to caring for Amber, she has only been able to work part-time. As a result, Tabby is so destitute, she is desperately close to losing Amber, because Social Services has declared that Tabby can't give the baby a proper home. Tabby is extremely attached to the baby, and Ash is her last hope to stop the authorities from taking Amber away from her within the next few days and putting her up for adoption.
Ash is appalled at the temerity of the small, angry woman who rudely confronts him at his ritzy, London business headquarters. Everyone in Ash's rarefied circles is in awe of him and strives constantly to impress him. But this young woman has dared to appear at his office dressed in a worn jacket, sweat pants, and ratty athletic shoes, and she hasn't put on a drop of makeup or fixed her hair. He decides at first glance that Tabby is plain, until he notices her stunning, violet eyes. Ash refuses to tolerate anyone cursing at him as Tabby does, and he threatens to have the building's security guards cart her away, until it suddenly connects with him who, exactly, the baby's father is. He was not merely a cousin, but the son of Ash's mother's caretaker during her final illness, a relative who was very kind to Ash at a vulnerable time in his childhood.
It abruptly occurs to him that he and Tabby could be of mutual use to each other. He needs a wife to keep his corporation in his hands, and she needs a husband who can assure she gets to keep Amber. He proposes a marriage of convenience, and thus begins the wild ride that is their relationship.
If you are a fan of LG, you will very much enjoy this classic, HP, marriage-of-convenience plot. The requirements of this romance line as to its plot tropes are so stringently limited, it takes real genius to write fresh, exciting, sensuous romances within their confines. LG is one of the very best at this creative feat. In this particular story, both Ash and Tabby are strong, sympathetic characters. I liked them both very much, and I greatly enjoyed the progress of their relationship. The two of them share a fascinating commonality in that each had an extremely difficult childhood, and in both cases, rather than adversity breaking them, it made them strong. Their mutual flaw is great difficulty in trusting others--especially each other. As a result, their relationship is full of the fiery battles, and equally passionate love scenes, which LG does extremely well. She never writes sex for its own sake and she's never crude.
I've read every one of LG's over 130 HP romances. Though no author can be expected to write a totally satisfying book every single time, LG's HP novels generally run from very good to outstanding. This book is definitely in that range.
August 6, 2021
Not much in this story where the hero and the heroine have a MOC for different reasons.
The heroine is feisty and not at a doormat and the hero is cold and tries to keep her at a distance.
Useless to say that after their marriage he can't keep himself from banging her, even if he repeatedly affirms that she's not his type of woman (I never understood this thing of the "type", it's very childish, it would be better to say that she's not the type of woman that is usually in his circle of acquaintances), but he doesn't want to be involved emotionally.
And we already know that as soon as the heroine will threaten to leave him he will run after her like a starving dog after a piece of meat.
The hero was too cold and unfeeling, just not my type (!!!)
The heroine was cute and with a backbone.
Easy reading.
The heroine is feisty and not at a doormat and the hero is cold and tries to keep her at a distance.
Useless to say that after their marriage he can't keep himself from banging her, even if he repeatedly affirms that she's not his type of woman (I never understood this thing of the "type", it's very childish, it would be better to say that she's not the type of woman that is usually in his circle of acquaintances), but he doesn't want to be involved emotionally.
And we already know that as soon as the heroine will threaten to leave him he will run after her like a starving dog after a piece of meat.
The hero was too cold and unfeeling, just not my type (!!!)
The heroine was cute and with a backbone.
Easy reading.
June 22, 2020
Recommended.
April 28, 2020
Re-read and still liked it.
August 28, 2018
This was a so-so read. You have the typical alpha hero man-whore in a big way! Probably one of the worst I have read about. A strike against the book already although once he struck a MOC deal with the heroine he ceased his whoring ways but believe me, his promiscuity comes back to haunt him as it places he and his family's lives at risk.
He had spent a couple hours with a woman who had picked him up in a restaurant. He recognized after a couple hours that she was not mentally or emotionally stable and he made his excuses and left...hoping never to see her again. But, somehow she knew his every move and every country he would visit for business and this crazy insane woman would show up, even at his wedding (she had a spy in his household). She was on his heels twenty-four seven. She had lied about who she was and when he went to a family dinner, after just recently meeting his father and his family, she was there and was his father's step-daughter. To say the woman was obsessed is so very mild. He ended up taking her to court where she was found guilty and had a restraining order slapped against her (which was only valid in Greece) but all her lies to her step-father caused the man to turn against this newfound son he was just getting to know and he withhold his son's inheritance because he wouldn't marry this girl and believed every lie she told him which seemed to begin at the age of three when he married her mother. She even spread the rumor that she was pregnant to try and force hero to marry her. It was really insane and I must tell you that I don't care for books with this kind of theme. Later on she attempts to kill his new wife. A while back she saw him with another woman and physically and bodily attached her. She was so dangerous and mentally incapacitated.
He began to see the pitfalls of just bedding anyone who seemed willing and she made his life a living hell. Now here's what really got to me. He was in a marriage of convenience which was growing into something real YET, he didn't tell his wife about crazy woman so she could be on the lookout and protect herself. WHAT?? Are you freakin' kidding??
I was also troubled by all the talk of his past lifestyle and how he spoke of it so casually to his virgin bride. It was hard to hear. Apparantly if you had two legs to spread...that was all he needed. Sorry, but I hate that. Always have, always will.
I did like how it turned out but felt he was quite dishonest with her withholding that important info....this is when she is almost killed and she was still in the dark. I guess it's just not nature for guys to keep it in his pants. Such a shame!
So because of his lifestyle, his secrets that almost got his wife and her to-be adopted daughter killed, I just cannot do any better than two stars. I can know and understand if they had a previous lifestyle that no longer existed but when he has had SO MANY and one in particular was trying to murder his family...well that just takes the cake. The least he could have done was not subject us to his past and just kept all the BS to himself. It also pulled me out of the story when I was desperately wanting to read about he and his new wife's developing relationship. He also treated her pretty badly on their wedding night...and I struggled to forgive him for that.
I'm sorry but I can't recommend this book unless the above things I mentioned does not bother you.
I, myself, would not have read it if I had known ahead of time about this woman and I certainly won't torture myself with a reread.
He had spent a couple hours with a woman who had picked him up in a restaurant. He recognized after a couple hours that she was not mentally or emotionally stable and he made his excuses and left...hoping never to see her again. But, somehow she knew his every move and every country he would visit for business and this crazy insane woman would show up, even at his wedding (she had a spy in his household). She was on his heels twenty-four seven. She had lied about who she was and when he went to a family dinner, after just recently meeting his father and his family, she was there and was his father's step-daughter. To say the woman was obsessed is so very mild. He ended up taking her to court where she was found guilty and had a restraining order slapped against her (which was only valid in Greece) but all her lies to her step-father caused the man to turn against this newfound son he was just getting to know and he withhold his son's inheritance because he wouldn't marry this girl and believed every lie she told him which seemed to begin at the age of three when he married her mother. She even spread the rumor that she was pregnant to try and force hero to marry her. It was really insane and I must tell you that I don't care for books with this kind of theme. Later on she attempts to kill his new wife. A while back she saw him with another woman and physically and bodily attached her. She was so dangerous and mentally incapacitated.
He began to see the pitfalls of just bedding anyone who seemed willing and she made his life a living hell. Now here's what really got to me. He was in a marriage of convenience which was growing into something real YET, he didn't tell his wife about crazy woman so she could be on the lookout and protect herself. WHAT?? Are you freakin' kidding??
I was also troubled by all the talk of his past lifestyle and how he spoke of it so casually to his virgin bride. It was hard to hear. Apparantly if you had two legs to spread...that was all he needed. Sorry, but I hate that. Always have, always will.
I did like how it turned out but felt he was quite dishonest with her withholding that important info....this is when she is almost killed and she was still in the dark. I guess it's just not nature for guys to keep it in his pants. Such a shame!
So because of his lifestyle, his secrets that almost got his wife and her to-be adopted daughter killed, I just cannot do any better than two stars. I can know and understand if they had a previous lifestyle that no longer existed but when he has had SO MANY and one in particular was trying to murder his family...well that just takes the cake. The least he could have done was not subject us to his past and just kept all the BS to himself. It also pulled me out of the story when I was desperately wanting to read about he and his new wife's developing relationship. He also treated her pretty badly on their wedding night...and I struggled to forgive him for that.
I'm sorry but I can't recommend this book unless the above things I mentioned does not bother you.
I, myself, would not have read it if I had known ahead of time about this woman and I certainly won't torture myself with a reread.
July 11, 2016
I can't remember the last time I read a good one of these. I think I have changed though and my tastes now run more towards edgy (almost comedic) paranormal romance books when I go down the romance path. However, my Mum keeps dropping these off and I keep reading them because I know she gets a kick out of the fact that it is something we share and they are a really quick read.
This one was about a virgin. I don't know why people keep saying the world is going to crap. If these books are to believed most mid 20 girls are still virgins (especially the pretty ones). Strike one.
The virgin's name is...wait for it.....TABBY! Hell No. What the hell was the author thinking? All I kept thinking was of a cat..why not Sally? Betty? Strike 2.
Strike 3 is that this fit every romance cliche...the author didn't stop at one. Two people with traumatic childhoods thrown together because he needs an arranged marriage and she needs his help to get custody of a friend's child. They are from the opposite sides of the track - she is poor and down on her luck (and apparently not much to look at until he takes her shopping and she transforms into a swan). He is rich...mega rich and is a cliche male that sees nothing wrong with sleeping around with as many women as possible, being arrogant, rude and just plain boorish. Oh and he is Greek.
But it only took 2 hours to read and that is something that I have to hold in the positive :-)
This one was about a virgin. I don't know why people keep saying the world is going to crap. If these books are to believed most mid 20 girls are still virgins (especially the pretty ones). Strike one.
The virgin's name is...wait for it.....TABBY! Hell No. What the hell was the author thinking? All I kept thinking was of a cat..why not Sally? Betty? Strike 2.
Strike 3 is that this fit every romance cliche...the author didn't stop at one. Two people with traumatic childhoods thrown together because he needs an arranged marriage and she needs his help to get custody of a friend's child. They are from the opposite sides of the track - she is poor and down on her luck (and apparently not much to look at until he takes her shopping and she transforms into a swan). He is rich...mega rich and is a cliche male that sees nothing wrong with sleeping around with as many women as possible, being arrogant, rude and just plain boorish. Oh and he is Greek.
But it only took 2 hours to read and that is something that I have to hold in the positive :-)
September 8, 2014
Better than average late-period Lynne Graham. There's more suspense and intrigue than usual, as someone actually wants to hurt the heroine!
I am blown away that it's more than twenty years since I read AN ARABIAN COURTSHIP. Many great romance writers "jump the shark" after ten or twenty classics, but Lynne Graham continues to write with the same vibrancy and passion year after year. One thing I will say is that it wouldn't hurt to make her heroines a little more mature, a little more capable of looking after themselves. This girl was less self-reliant than the baby girl she was clutching to her breast every ten seconds!
Oh, and the teeny-bopper British slang was adorable, but when the hero jumps to rescue the heroine from tumbling down the stairs (did I mention she's not very good at looking after herself) the heroine breathlessly proclaims that he moves "faster than the speed of light." Now you don't have to be Stephen Hawking (or Albert Einstein) to know that a romance novel hero who moved faster than the speed of light would be capable of turning the whole universe inside out, flip-flopping time and space, and . . . well, I guess he really does have that effect on the heroine!
Sigh. Lynne Graham. One of life's timeless pleasures.
I am blown away that it's more than twenty years since I read AN ARABIAN COURTSHIP. Many great romance writers "jump the shark" after ten or twenty classics, but Lynne Graham continues to write with the same vibrancy and passion year after year. One thing I will say is that it wouldn't hurt to make her heroines a little more mature, a little more capable of looking after themselves. This girl was less self-reliant than the baby girl she was clutching to her breast every ten seconds!
Oh, and the teeny-bopper British slang was adorable, but when the hero jumps to rescue the heroine from tumbling down the stairs (did I mention she's not very good at looking after herself) the heroine breathlessly proclaims that he moves "faster than the speed of light." Now you don't have to be Stephen Hawking (or Albert Einstein) to know that a romance novel hero who moved faster than the speed of light would be capable of turning the whole universe inside out, flip-flopping time and space, and . . . well, I guess he really does have that effect on the heroine!
Sigh. Lynne Graham. One of life's timeless pleasures.
December 16, 2013
The Dimitrakos Proposition was a compelling marriage of convenience romance with memorable plotting.
My only negative issues was the heroine was a harpy. Too much almost. I liked how she melted. The hero, he wasn't edgy enough. I did like how he brought down the heroine's defenses.
I think this may be a keeper.
My only negative issues was the heroine was a harpy. Too much almost. I liked how she melted. The hero, he wasn't edgy enough. I did like how he brought down the heroine's defenses.
I think this may be a keeper.
November 10, 2015
It was a decent read, but not as good as some of LG's other work: The Spanish Groom etc.
June 29, 2017
tabby girl you tough!
June 22, 2020
A sweet read from LG. Tabby is taking care of little Amber and about to lose her to foster care since she doesn’t qualify as a guardian. Amber’s parents were Tabby’s closest friends and she’d been taking care of the little girl since her birth.
As she comes close to her deadline, Tabby reaches for the help of Amber’s guardian as stated in her birth certificate. Wealthy and alpha rude Acheron. And then the plot falls into predicable check marks.
The h was good in the beginning. I didn’t like her too much later into the book. She meant to “teach” Ash how to be touchy feely and cuddle. It was trying a bit too much to change a grown man while you’re faking a marriage with him. It was also a bit too much for forcing your needy/clingy views of marriage on him.
Imo she should’ve stayed how she was. I’m sure Ash would’ve come after her anyways without her stomping her feet about it. Ash was caring and kind. Both the mc’s had abusive childhoods and yeah I zoned out a bit with their repeated telling of its tales.
As she comes close to her deadline, Tabby reaches for the help of Amber’s guardian as stated in her birth certificate. Wealthy and alpha rude Acheron. And then the plot falls into predicable check marks.
The h was good in the beginning. I didn’t like her too much later into the book. She meant to “teach” Ash how to be touchy feely and cuddle. It was trying a bit too much to change a grown man while you’re faking a marriage with him. It was also a bit too much for forcing your needy/clingy views of marriage on him.
Imo she should’ve stayed how she was. I’m sure Ash would’ve come after her anyways without her stomping her feet about it. Ash was caring and kind. Both the mc’s had abusive childhoods and yeah I zoned out a bit with their repeated telling of its tales.
March 18, 2014
I really enjoyed this book. If I could vote for best Hero, and Heroine of any book that I have read, it would be Ash, and Tabby of this story. The two were wonderful. The banter between the two was very entertaining. Ash was a rich Billionaire. He was use to having staff do exactly what he said to do. He was thrown for a loop when he met Tabby. She was the first person that spoke her mind, and stood up to him.
Tabby need his help to adopt her best friend's daughter. Baby Amber stole my heart in this book. Both of Amanda's parents died soon after she was born. Tabby loved that little girl and would do anything to keep her. Ash was named as co guarding in the will of Amber's father. Tabby owned a co business with Sonia. When Sonia had a stroke after giving birth to Amanda, Tabby quit working, so she could take care of mother, and child. Tabby was close to losing everything after Sonia passed away. Asking Ash for help was her last option.
This was a 5 star book. this is just one of those books that you just have to read. I loved how he spoke Greek to her calling her Koukla mou, Kalimera, yinkea mou. What can I say...I'm a sucker for a good Greek romance. The two were like fire, and ice. When they came together sparks flew.
This book also had a hint of danger to it, strange notes being left, intended to scare Tabby, a crazy stalker. I'm leaving you with a few samples of the book.
Sample from chapter 5 - But without conscious volition he drew that tempting mouth up to his and crushed it under his, and the taste of her was as rich and fragrant and luscious as juicy strawberries on a summer day.
Sample from chapter 7 - But Tabby had moved on from that self protective stance when she first opened her heart to friendship with Sonia and then to Amber and finally understood how much more warm and satisfying life could be with love and loyalty in it. She knew she had lost her business and her first home because she had chosen to personally care for Sonia and Amber but she had no regrets about the choices she had made.
Tabby need his help to adopt her best friend's daughter. Baby Amber stole my heart in this book. Both of Amanda's parents died soon after she was born. Tabby loved that little girl and would do anything to keep her. Ash was named as co guarding in the will of Amber's father. Tabby owned a co business with Sonia. When Sonia had a stroke after giving birth to Amanda, Tabby quit working, so she could take care of mother, and child. Tabby was close to losing everything after Sonia passed away. Asking Ash for help was her last option.
This was a 5 star book. this is just one of those books that you just have to read. I loved how he spoke Greek to her calling her Koukla mou, Kalimera, yinkea mou. What can I say...I'm a sucker for a good Greek romance. The two were like fire, and ice. When they came together sparks flew.
This book also had a hint of danger to it, strange notes being left, intended to scare Tabby, a crazy stalker. I'm leaving you with a few samples of the book.
Sample from chapter 5 - But without conscious volition he drew that tempting mouth up to his and crushed it under his, and the taste of her was as rich and fragrant and luscious as juicy strawberries on a summer day.
Sample from chapter 7 - But Tabby had moved on from that self protective stance when she first opened her heart to friendship with Sonia and then to Amber and finally understood how much more warm and satisfying life could be with love and loyalty in it. She knew she had lost her business and her first home because she had chosen to personally care for Sonia and Amber but she had no regrets about the choices she had made.
June 14, 2018
Acheron Dimitrakos a fairy godmother , yeah right!
This book is adorable (yup, that is the word I will use here). Smart-alec, and eloquent Tabby is exactly as a female protagonist should be, I loved her. And little Amber - isn't she the cutest (yes, I can tell that only by reading).
The scenes with Amber, and Ash, are the funniest.
All the more funny are the lessons Tabby has to give Ash. This book has humor in spades.
Despite the glaring financial differences (which is obvious for an M&B), Ash, and Tabby have many similarities.
Yeah, a book with stalker tendencies (a little sinister, at that) - completely to my liking - what with Tabby getting attacked.
Even their quarrels are mushy - aww - such a charming couple, and such an enchanting journey.
This book is adorable (yup, that is the word I will use here). Smart-alec, and eloquent Tabby is exactly as a female protagonist should be, I loved her. And little Amber - isn't she the cutest (yes, I can tell that only by reading).
The scenes with Amber, and Ash, are the funniest.
Amber released another howl and, gripped by frustration, Tabby marched over to the cot, swept up the little girl and settled her without ceremony into Ash's arms. 'If she has a nightmare she needs comforting. She needs to know someone is there for her and a little cuddle usually soothes her.' Amber was as shocked as Acheron to find herself in his arms. Wide brown eyes anxiously observed him. 'Cuddle?' Ash almost whispered the word in appalled disbelief. 'You actually expect me to cuddle her?'
All the more funny are the lessons Tabby has to give Ash. This book has humor in spades.
Despite the glaring financial differences (which is obvious for an M&B), Ash, and Tabby have many similarities.
What a pair they were, she thought morosely. He couldn't do ordinary affection and she couldn't do sex.
Yeah, a book with stalker tendencies (a little sinister, at that) - completely to my liking - what with Tabby getting attacked.
Even their quarrels are mushy - aww - such a charming couple, and such an enchanting journey.
July 10, 2016
It's no secret that I'm a huge Harlequin Presents fan and I totally loved this book. Ash was perfect as an alpha male in true Lynne Graham style. I loved everything about him. Tabby was a touch too feisty for me. I love strong heroines but this one bordered too close to 'irritating' for me. However, it didn't distract me from the story and I really enjoyed this classic Presents. Would highly recommend!
December 13, 2013
3.5 stars
Definitely one of her better recent books. Loved the heroine. Not the usual doormat. One ticky complaint. Heroes name was very distracting. There is only one Acheron...
Definitely one of her better recent books. Loved the heroine. Not the usual doormat. One ticky complaint. Heroes name was very distracting. There is only one Acheron...
October 10, 2014
grego + virgem
February 6, 2015
Wasn't expecting much from this book since the last few Lynne Graham books, I've read have been a bit disappointing so my expectations were not that high with the synopsis feeling ho hum and not as exciting as some other back covers that I have read in the past increasing my excitement. So I wasn't expecting to love this book, but let me tell you I was dead wrong and very happily surprised by this book.
This was the first great book of Lynne Graham's that I have read in awhile that I genuinely loved. Don't get me wrong there have been Lynne Graham's books that I have loved, but as stated above, lately her books weren't as thrilling and exciting like some of the other of her books that I have read in the past, which was why I have enjoyed her as an author from my past experience. So I really, really happy with this book and how it got me back on the Lynne Graham boat again. Her mojo was spot on in this book and it was utterly fabulous. I really loved everything about this book without any complaints.
What I loved about this book the most was that it had a little bit of everything that meshed together to create the story of romance of Acheron and Tabby. All the elements just worked really well together, I thought with everything just feeling exactly right. I felt were so many themes that can appear in romance novels and executed really well so it didn't feel like a mish mosh of things going into the story where it didn't make sense or felt like it was all over the place. They all fit perfectly together, and I thought the themes that were presented here are what I exactly look for in romance and what draws me to genre, but usually they are in separate books not the same one. So I was really impressed how it was all incorporated in the story in such a small format and doing so successful to make it a very enjoyable read.
I how my favorite themes were presented in the story, and it really just sucked me and took me on the roller coaster ride along with Acheron and Tabby. To name some of the themes in the book were marriage of convenience for both characters with Acheron needing to marry according to his father's will so he wouldn't lose the company while Tabby needed marriage so she would be approved for adoption for her best friend's little girl, who she had taken care of all her life and loved. There was the rag to riches theme where the nearly destitute Tabby began a relationship with uber rich Acheron, and how in order to make their relationship believable needed to give Tabby a makeover so that people would believe that he was marrying a suitable and beautiful wife that could handle the social pressure of his upscale lifestyle. The whole theme of him vowing off of being a family man for him with him not wanting a wife or children ever in his life until he was forced to because of his father's will. The whole playboy aspect of his character and how he did in no certain circumstances did emotional commitment, but was just interested in the sex and just wasn't interested in emotions period. There was the bitchy ex girlfriend aspect, who vowed Acheron belong to him and only him and Tabby was just a nobody loser that he was just using so he could gain his company back. There was both of them had dark past to contend with, with a common similarity of what they both had to deal with in spending time in the foster care system and how that effected their choices in life as well as how they currently dealt with life and each other and just overcoming emotional obstacles and issues as well from those past experiences in order to get their happily ever after together. And last but certainly not least was the passion and sexual tension between the two from the moment they met to the last page where sparks flew and temperatures arose and not just for the characters. There were some steamy scenes going on there, and I could just feel their physical attraction coming off the pages and that built up tension that just grew and grew whenever they were in the same room with each other until finally they just let go and go for it. It was really good. Might talk a bit about that later.
So all those themes were I there, which was fantastic and it just added so much to the story with it upping the drama, tension, a bit of suspense, intensity, and emotions that were going on for both of the characters. It was just so engrossing I thought and I couldn't wait to turn the page to see what happened next in the story and she if they finally gave into their emotions in passions in the end. It was so delicious to watch and see how it all played out between them. There was so much going on, but it wasn't overwhelming it was just great and lovely. Just everything was there for me.
One of the big requirements that this book hit for me was that it made me feel while I was reading. I felt what the characters were going through at the time. I understood them and their emotions of what was going on in their present as well as their past. I sympathized with the characters as the went along their journey together, and just really enjoyed seeing their emotional love story being played on the pages. I felt tension and the angst between the two as well as when dealing with their own personal issue. There was back and forth element to the story where I felt them want each yet deny it because they thought that it wouldn't be right to give in because it would only end up in hurt and pain along the way. It made me want to urge them to take leap of faith with one another and fall in the deep end and see what was on the bottom ocean, waiting for them mainly pleasure and joy (now that maybe because this was a romance and knew they would get their happily ever after but still). I felt the magic between the two. I felt bad for both of them and what they endured. It was just that great gritty, raw that I expect and want when reading a romance, and because I felt then I believed it. I believed they were falling love and I wanted them to fall in love and get their happily ever after. All because I felt it my heart with nothing feeling contrived or forced between the pair as the story progressed. That was just awesome, and definitely thumbs up from me.
Another thing which didn't hurt, which I mentioned above, was the passion and the attraction that they felt for one another. Their romance/passion was just built up so well that it felt contained in a champagne bottle and bubbling and sizzling in the bottle with all the built up sexual tension that the cork needed to be released and released badly just to release all that and finally give them relief. And it was hot. Not just the love scene aspects but the build up to that and that tension that I was speaking about. So yummy. I mean that first kiss was pretty steamy, and I could feel the passion and the emotions coming off of both them during that first kiss. I liked the build up aspect and glad that they didn't just jump into bed as soon as they acknowledge that they wanted each other but let it simmer beneath the surface and keeping boiling until it blew on their wedding night. And the scene was so great and satisfying on both the emotional and the physical for me, and what I like seeing in that love scene. But that love scene ended in some drama with some increase intensity emotional played out, but added to the hype and another dimension to the love story aspect of their story as well as their passion for one another because it carried over to the second love scene which was even better. I mean I like a first time scene and just see how they come together but that second scene was sensual yet no less hot. Oh my goodness, and the emotions just increased and it showed me as the reader that they were quickly heading down the path of falling in love, and it was great. There was just so much in that scene with the perfect balance of sweetness, tenderness, passion, and steaminess. It gave me shivers just reading. The third love scene was intense, both physically and emotionally and definitely hot and showed how they couldn't keep their hands off each other. So good. Just their chemistry really worked in this story, and it was sexy with plenty of sexy moments to go around and drool over.
I also loved that this story, even though their passion was high for one another and followed some steamy scenes, there were definitely a lot of emotions coming into play and issues that needed to be dealt with. Tabby had one of fear of abandonment, which was the reason she kept people at arms length and at distance so she didn't get too attached to anyone and then wind up loosing them and just feeling abandoned by them. Also she had to contend with insecurity of not being (in her mind) the most curvy, beautiful woman out there like the woman Acheron tended to date before he married her and believing he wouldn't find her attractive at all. And he had to deal with his past and how he refused to do emotions or let people close both physically and emotionally even his time with baby Amber took time before he allowed her close to him. He never wanted anyone to cling to him so he kept them at a distance. So a lot was going there and I thought it was brilliantly played and was an important role in story as that along with the passion was weaved in together to create this story. Again that rawness that I love feeling was there and it was believable.
Have say I loved both of these characters. Loved them to death. I loved the strength and will of Tabby and how she refused to back down against Acheron and even stood up to him to let him know that he couldn't control her. She wanted to be his equal in this situation as did she want his respect, which she believed she deserved and she did. I also loved her sassy little attitude especially in the first couple pages where I fell in love with her. She's a character that was unique and someone I hadn't quite read before. She was spunky and I liked that about her. I also loved how she willing to do anything and fight to get custody of Amber even asking a man she considered in another world from her own for help. Just those couple of scenes when they first meet were really funny and humorous to watch and I loved seeing her give him a run for his money. It was so entertaining. But behind that she had a very dark past to contend with one filled with abuse and pain and no love anywhere from her parents who thought of her as an inconvenience to them and their lifestyle then she went into the foster care system and had kind of the same thing, no love, but she endured and came out stronger in the end, however she did build those walls up not that I blame her for that. I really felt for her and wanted to give her a big hug because she needed it at times.
An alpha Acheron, oh my goodness can I tell you that I was loving him. Big time swoon for him. He was just totally yummy. Hot. Sexy. And just a mainly man. Was he perfect? No, not by any stretch of the imagination with him basically being emotionally bankrupt in the beginning and vowing just to engage in pleasurable physical activity and that was his extent of relationship with women. And he was a little rude to Tabby in the beginning, but that added to the drama and I didn't hold that against him. But even though he was rude to her, I never felt he was cruel or unnecessarily tried to hurt Tabby even though he did lie to her about his father's will, but he wasn't doing that to be mean just more to protect himself and kept her at an emotional distance. And once he did begin to care about both Amber and Tabby, oh my goodness look out because he became a very protective man over those woman. He cared about them and wanted to be with them and just wanted see them safe. He truly came man of the house once he let his guard down. But what I loved most was his tenderness towards Tabby and how he wanted to know all about her and understand her past hurts and try to heal that part of her hurt soul, and it was beautiful to watch. I especially liked (yes, I am going to refer to it again) the second love scene in the book where he let go and showed his true caring side towards her and showed pleasure as well as tenderness in that scene. He was also very gentle Tabby during that scene as well as the second half of the book. I loved seeing that side to him as did I enjoy seeing his vulnerable side near the end and show how important Tabby and Amber truly became to be in his life. I just loved everything about him, and fell in love with him just Tabby did. How could I not? He was just so yummy on so many levels. Loved him as the hero, a well deserving hero.
This was just really a beautiful love story that was very well written with lots of drama and emotional intensity along the way. Everything played off of each other really well like characters and the issues that they were going through at the time and how they had to overcome them to get their happily ever after. It was passionate. It was sexy. It was tender. It was what every good romance book should be. Add to that really lovable characters and bingo you have winner. From page one it just felt really right as I began to read it and felt myself immediately in the emotional love story of Acheron and Tabby. I fell in love right along with them. Felt the same passion that they felt. I felt that it was hones and real and believable and not something that was contrived. I rooted for both of them and cheered them on as they headed to their happily ever after. It was just a really great story that kept me entertained throughout, and I couldn't put it down until I finished to the very end. It just so exceed my expectations and I loved it more than I ever thought I would.
The bar is set again for Lynne Graham to impress me and write stories that are as good as this one because this one was phenomenal. So bravo Lynne Graham, and thank you for reminding me why I fell in love with your books in the first place. I want all your books to be like this one, so go ahead and write and impress me again.
This was the first great book of Lynne Graham's that I have read in awhile that I genuinely loved. Don't get me wrong there have been Lynne Graham's books that I have loved, but as stated above, lately her books weren't as thrilling and exciting like some of the other of her books that I have read in the past, which was why I have enjoyed her as an author from my past experience. So I really, really happy with this book and how it got me back on the Lynne Graham boat again. Her mojo was spot on in this book and it was utterly fabulous. I really loved everything about this book without any complaints.
What I loved about this book the most was that it had a little bit of everything that meshed together to create the story of romance of Acheron and Tabby. All the elements just worked really well together, I thought with everything just feeling exactly right. I felt were so many themes that can appear in romance novels and executed really well so it didn't feel like a mish mosh of things going into the story where it didn't make sense or felt like it was all over the place. They all fit perfectly together, and I thought the themes that were presented here are what I exactly look for in romance and what draws me to genre, but usually they are in separate books not the same one. So I was really impressed how it was all incorporated in the story in such a small format and doing so successful to make it a very enjoyable read.
I how my favorite themes were presented in the story, and it really just sucked me and took me on the roller coaster ride along with Acheron and Tabby. To name some of the themes in the book were marriage of convenience for both characters with Acheron needing to marry according to his father's will so he wouldn't lose the company while Tabby needed marriage so she would be approved for adoption for her best friend's little girl, who she had taken care of all her life and loved. There was the rag to riches theme where the nearly destitute Tabby began a relationship with uber rich Acheron, and how in order to make their relationship believable needed to give Tabby a makeover so that people would believe that he was marrying a suitable and beautiful wife that could handle the social pressure of his upscale lifestyle. The whole theme of him vowing off of being a family man for him with him not wanting a wife or children ever in his life until he was forced to because of his father's will. The whole playboy aspect of his character and how he did in no certain circumstances did emotional commitment, but was just interested in the sex and just wasn't interested in emotions period. There was the bitchy ex girlfriend aspect, who vowed Acheron belong to him and only him and Tabby was just a nobody loser that he was just using so he could gain his company back. There was both of them had dark past to contend with, with a common similarity of what they both had to deal with in spending time in the foster care system and how that effected their choices in life as well as how they currently dealt with life and each other and just overcoming emotional obstacles and issues as well from those past experiences in order to get their happily ever after together. And last but certainly not least was the passion and sexual tension between the two from the moment they met to the last page where sparks flew and temperatures arose and not just for the characters. There were some steamy scenes going on there, and I could just feel their physical attraction coming off the pages and that built up tension that just grew and grew whenever they were in the same room with each other until finally they just let go and go for it. It was really good. Might talk a bit about that later.
So all those themes were I there, which was fantastic and it just added so much to the story with it upping the drama, tension, a bit of suspense, intensity, and emotions that were going on for both of the characters. It was just so engrossing I thought and I couldn't wait to turn the page to see what happened next in the story and she if they finally gave into their emotions in passions in the end. It was so delicious to watch and see how it all played out between them. There was so much going on, but it wasn't overwhelming it was just great and lovely. Just everything was there for me.
One of the big requirements that this book hit for me was that it made me feel while I was reading. I felt what the characters were going through at the time. I understood them and their emotions of what was going on in their present as well as their past. I sympathized with the characters as the went along their journey together, and just really enjoyed seeing their emotional love story being played on the pages. I felt tension and the angst between the two as well as when dealing with their own personal issue. There was back and forth element to the story where I felt them want each yet deny it because they thought that it wouldn't be right to give in because it would only end up in hurt and pain along the way. It made me want to urge them to take leap of faith with one another and fall in the deep end and see what was on the bottom ocean, waiting for them mainly pleasure and joy (now that maybe because this was a romance and knew they would get their happily ever after but still). I felt the magic between the two. I felt bad for both of them and what they endured. It was just that great gritty, raw that I expect and want when reading a romance, and because I felt then I believed it. I believed they were falling love and I wanted them to fall in love and get their happily ever after. All because I felt it my heart with nothing feeling contrived or forced between the pair as the story progressed. That was just awesome, and definitely thumbs up from me.
Another thing which didn't hurt, which I mentioned above, was the passion and the attraction that they felt for one another. Their romance/passion was just built up so well that it felt contained in a champagne bottle and bubbling and sizzling in the bottle with all the built up sexual tension that the cork needed to be released and released badly just to release all that and finally give them relief. And it was hot. Not just the love scene aspects but the build up to that and that tension that I was speaking about. So yummy. I mean that first kiss was pretty steamy, and I could feel the passion and the emotions coming off of both them during that first kiss. I liked the build up aspect and glad that they didn't just jump into bed as soon as they acknowledge that they wanted each other but let it simmer beneath the surface and keeping boiling until it blew on their wedding night. And the scene was so great and satisfying on both the emotional and the physical for me, and what I like seeing in that love scene. But that love scene ended in some drama with some increase intensity emotional played out, but added to the hype and another dimension to the love story aspect of their story as well as their passion for one another because it carried over to the second love scene which was even better. I mean I like a first time scene and just see how they come together but that second scene was sensual yet no less hot. Oh my goodness, and the emotions just increased and it showed me as the reader that they were quickly heading down the path of falling in love, and it was great. There was just so much in that scene with the perfect balance of sweetness, tenderness, passion, and steaminess. It gave me shivers just reading. The third love scene was intense, both physically and emotionally and definitely hot and showed how they couldn't keep their hands off each other. So good. Just their chemistry really worked in this story, and it was sexy with plenty of sexy moments to go around and drool over.
I also loved that this story, even though their passion was high for one another and followed some steamy scenes, there were definitely a lot of emotions coming into play and issues that needed to be dealt with. Tabby had one of fear of abandonment, which was the reason she kept people at arms length and at distance so she didn't get too attached to anyone and then wind up loosing them and just feeling abandoned by them. Also she had to contend with insecurity of not being (in her mind) the most curvy, beautiful woman out there like the woman Acheron tended to date before he married her and believing he wouldn't find her attractive at all. And he had to deal with his past and how he refused to do emotions or let people close both physically and emotionally even his time with baby Amber took time before he allowed her close to him. He never wanted anyone to cling to him so he kept them at a distance. So a lot was going there and I thought it was brilliantly played and was an important role in story as that along with the passion was weaved in together to create this story. Again that rawness that I love feeling was there and it was believable.
Have say I loved both of these characters. Loved them to death. I loved the strength and will of Tabby and how she refused to back down against Acheron and even stood up to him to let him know that he couldn't control her. She wanted to be his equal in this situation as did she want his respect, which she believed she deserved and she did. I also loved her sassy little attitude especially in the first couple pages where I fell in love with her. She's a character that was unique and someone I hadn't quite read before. She was spunky and I liked that about her. I also loved how she willing to do anything and fight to get custody of Amber even asking a man she considered in another world from her own for help. Just those couple of scenes when they first meet were really funny and humorous to watch and I loved seeing her give him a run for his money. It was so entertaining. But behind that she had a very dark past to contend with one filled with abuse and pain and no love anywhere from her parents who thought of her as an inconvenience to them and their lifestyle then she went into the foster care system and had kind of the same thing, no love, but she endured and came out stronger in the end, however she did build those walls up not that I blame her for that. I really felt for her and wanted to give her a big hug because she needed it at times.
An alpha Acheron, oh my goodness can I tell you that I was loving him. Big time swoon for him. He was just totally yummy. Hot. Sexy. And just a mainly man. Was he perfect? No, not by any stretch of the imagination with him basically being emotionally bankrupt in the beginning and vowing just to engage in pleasurable physical activity and that was his extent of relationship with women. And he was a little rude to Tabby in the beginning, but that added to the drama and I didn't hold that against him. But even though he was rude to her, I never felt he was cruel or unnecessarily tried to hurt Tabby even though he did lie to her about his father's will, but he wasn't doing that to be mean just more to protect himself and kept her at an emotional distance. And once he did begin to care about both Amber and Tabby, oh my goodness look out because he became a very protective man over those woman. He cared about them and wanted to be with them and just wanted see them safe. He truly came man of the house once he let his guard down. But what I loved most was his tenderness towards Tabby and how he wanted to know all about her and understand her past hurts and try to heal that part of her hurt soul, and it was beautiful to watch. I especially liked (yes, I am going to refer to it again) the second love scene in the book where he let go and showed his true caring side towards her and showed pleasure as well as tenderness in that scene. He was also very gentle Tabby during that scene as well as the second half of the book. I loved seeing that side to him as did I enjoy seeing his vulnerable side near the end and show how important Tabby and Amber truly became to be in his life. I just loved everything about him, and fell in love with him just Tabby did. How could I not? He was just so yummy on so many levels. Loved him as the hero, a well deserving hero.
This was just really a beautiful love story that was very well written with lots of drama and emotional intensity along the way. Everything played off of each other really well like characters and the issues that they were going through at the time and how they had to overcome them to get their happily ever after. It was passionate. It was sexy. It was tender. It was what every good romance book should be. Add to that really lovable characters and bingo you have winner. From page one it just felt really right as I began to read it and felt myself immediately in the emotional love story of Acheron and Tabby. I fell in love right along with them. Felt the same passion that they felt. I felt that it was hones and real and believable and not something that was contrived. I rooted for both of them and cheered them on as they headed to their happily ever after. It was just a really great story that kept me entertained throughout, and I couldn't put it down until I finished to the very end. It just so exceed my expectations and I loved it more than I ever thought I would.
The bar is set again for Lynne Graham to impress me and write stories that are as good as this one because this one was phenomenal. So bravo Lynne Graham, and thank you for reminding me why I fell in love with your books in the first place. I want all your books to be like this one, so go ahead and write and impress me again.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 24, 2024
Originally published on December 17, 2013, The Dimitrakos Proposition by Lynne Graham is a marriage of convenience themed romance, featuring Acheron Dimitrakos (Ash), a man who is skeptical of relationships and a commitment-phobe to boot, who meets his match in Tabitha (Tabby) Glover, an independent woman with a difficult past. When Tabby becomes co-guardian to Amber, a six-month old orphaned child, the last thing that Tabby expects is an outrageous marriage proposal from Ash which sets the tone of the story.
Ash is the epitome of a Lynne Graham alpha hero—Greek, devastatingly handsome, and emotionally scarred. As the founder of DT Industries, Ash is a self-made billionaire who clawed his way to success despite a traumatic childhood spent in foster care. Cynical and emotionally detached, Ash believes love and family are myths—until a legal quirk in his father’s will forces him to marry or lose half of his company.
Tabby too spent her formative years in foster care, which makes her extra protective of Amber when she faces the same fate. When Ash proposes marriage to fulfill the conditions of his father’s will, it leaves Tabby in an untenable position given her desperation to retain custody of Amber. Thus marks the conflict between the two, which creates both sexual and emotional tension, giving readers some of the classic Ms. Graham feels to the story.
What neither expects is for their mutual antagonism to grow into sexual heat, and for that to stoke the fires of an emotional connection that neither can seem to deny. As is signature Graham, Tabby is a virgin with little to zero experience with the likes of men such as Ash, who is a serial womanizer, reaping the benefit of fast and loose women to satiate his hunger for physical intimacy.
Amber’s role as the heart of the story is beautifully portrayed. Her presence forces Ash to confront the pain of his childhood and re-imagine what family could mean. The custody battle adds a layer of emotional urgency, making the stakes feel real.
While I liked the overall premise of the story, I found myself questioning where Tabby was coming from. I must admit that what takes place between Ash and Tabby often had me bursting into laughter, but at the same time, I found myself piqued by how stubborn Tabby was under certain circumstances. While some readers may enjoy her spirited nature, I find that quality to be a bit tiresome when it does not add any value to the story.
The Dimitrakos Proposition, while it had all the right elements, I am sad to say, did not invoke the right emotions in me. Nevertheless, I would recommend it for those who love the fiery at heart stories from Lynne Graham.
Final Verdict: A marriage of convenience turning into a lifetime of love and commitment; delivers on the drama that we all look for in Ms. Graham’s novels!
Rating = 3/5
For more reviews and quotes, please visit A Maldivian's Passion for Romance
Ash is the epitome of a Lynne Graham alpha hero—Greek, devastatingly handsome, and emotionally scarred. As the founder of DT Industries, Ash is a self-made billionaire who clawed his way to success despite a traumatic childhood spent in foster care. Cynical and emotionally detached, Ash believes love and family are myths—until a legal quirk in his father’s will forces him to marry or lose half of his company.
Tabby too spent her formative years in foster care, which makes her extra protective of Amber when she faces the same fate. When Ash proposes marriage to fulfill the conditions of his father’s will, it leaves Tabby in an untenable position given her desperation to retain custody of Amber. Thus marks the conflict between the two, which creates both sexual and emotional tension, giving readers some of the classic Ms. Graham feels to the story.
What neither expects is for their mutual antagonism to grow into sexual heat, and for that to stoke the fires of an emotional connection that neither can seem to deny. As is signature Graham, Tabby is a virgin with little to zero experience with the likes of men such as Ash, who is a serial womanizer, reaping the benefit of fast and loose women to satiate his hunger for physical intimacy.
Amber’s role as the heart of the story is beautifully portrayed. Her presence forces Ash to confront the pain of his childhood and re-imagine what family could mean. The custody battle adds a layer of emotional urgency, making the stakes feel real.
While I liked the overall premise of the story, I found myself questioning where Tabby was coming from. I must admit that what takes place between Ash and Tabby often had me bursting into laughter, but at the same time, I found myself piqued by how stubborn Tabby was under certain circumstances. While some readers may enjoy her spirited nature, I find that quality to be a bit tiresome when it does not add any value to the story.
The Dimitrakos Proposition, while it had all the right elements, I am sad to say, did not invoke the right emotions in me. Nevertheless, I would recommend it for those who love the fiery at heart stories from Lynne Graham.
Final Verdict: A marriage of convenience turning into a lifetime of love and commitment; delivers on the drama that we all look for in Ms. Graham’s novels!
Rating = 3/5
For more reviews and quotes, please visit A Maldivian's Passion for Romance
March 29, 2020
3.5 stars
December 11, 2013
Ugh. I really, really didn’t care for this book for some reason. I think Ash was never fully redeemed for being the jerk he starts out as. He’s dismissive, rude, and snobbish. I don’t care how rich he is, he treats Tabby like crap, was dismissive about the fact that he was named a child’s guardian for months until Tabby comes to him, and so on.
Tabby – grrrr. Such a freaking doormat. She took his treatment and even if it got better toward the end, she still should slugged him a few times.
There’s not much more I can, or will, say about this. I’m surprised, because I’m generally very favorable toward Ms. Graham’s work. Just for some reason, this book set my teeth to grinding.
Tabby – grrrr. Such a freaking doormat. She took his treatment and even if it got better toward the end, she still should slugged him a few times.
There’s not much more I can, or will, say about this. I’m surprised, because I’m generally very favorable toward Ms. Graham’s work. Just for some reason, this book set my teeth to grinding.
June 15, 2020
Tabby Glover will do anything to get Acheron Dimitrakos to support her adoption claim over his cousin's small child. It's a good thing it is to both their benefits to be married.
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